Annotated Reading (Click here to start)

1. Responding to some of the challenges and criticism around the number of quality metrics and the definitional differences, CMS leaders proposed homogenizing and creating an Universal foundation. This is an opinion piece only and might portend the future changes but at the moment, it has not bearing on the measurement of quality.
2. Responding to call for greater focus on equity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts created and implemented new value based care agreements. Note the details around the flow of funds to get an idea of provider push back to such metrics and what/how might plan respond/bring partners to work together by creating funding mechanisms.
3. NCQA published a whitepaper in 2021 on how it views SDOH.
4. This paper highlights the challenge federal government faces in collecting SDOH data for different populations (excluding Commercial plans).
5. Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed Medicaid officials across US in Oct 2019 to identify how SDOH is part of Medicaid efforts.
6. CMS 'In lieu of" guidance allows potential new ways for State Medicaid programs to fund and pay for SDOH.